Page 77 of The Moonstone Hero
Then he saw her.
Ella’s breath caught.
He smiled.
Her heart melted and she smiled back.
She wanted to run into his arms, but Imogen had a hand on her elbow and was holding her back. “Do not be a ninny, Ella. Wait for him to come to you.”
It felt like an eternity before he finally got around to greeting her and her family.
“Lord Stockwell. Lady Stockwell. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.” He bowed politely over their mother’s extended hand.
“We have heard so much about you from our daughters, Lord Mersey,” their father said. “Of course, we have also avidly read the newspaper accounts of your exploits. It is an honor to meet you, too.”
“The honor is all mine.” Caden sounded so polished as he engaged their father in brief conversation. His voice was deep and utterly divine.
He greeted Imogen politely next, which was afaux pas, since she was the younger sister and not even out in Society yet.
But Ella knew he meant to save the best for last.
Lightning bolts coursed through her when he took her hand. Instead of merely bowing politely over it, as he had done with all the other ladies, he pressed a kiss to it—a deep, gloriously burning kiss that everyone noticed because all eyes were upon him.
“Ella, I missed you so much,” he whispered.
Tears threatened to cloud her eyes. “I missed you too. Oh, Caden, I am shaking. There is so much I wish to say to you.”
“Me too. When can I see you?”
She laughed softly. “Any time. I’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll call on you first thing tomorrow. It will have to be unfashionably early because of my other obligations. Or may I see you tonight, after this supper party?”
“Both, if you wish. I am hungry for time with you.”
He laughed. “Is that a pun?”
She grinned. “Unintended, but yes. Dinner was held up by the Fieldings in order to wait for you, so I expect everyone here is famished. It is so good to see you.”
“Same here. You look beautiful.” He moved on to the next guests, leaving Ella elated and at the same time bereft. Was this all they were to have of each other? Fleeting moments at various affairs?
But he said he would call upon her.
What did that mean? Was he through hiding his feelings for her? Kissing her hand had been an obvious and dangerous gesture. Everyone noticed and were still whispering about it. The news would be reported in the gossip rags tomorrow.
Not that she minded. She loved him and did not want to hide her feelings. Nor had she ever been afraid of his grandfather. Not that she would ever let her guard down around the old man—she wasn’t that foolish. But what could he do once she and Caden were married?
Oh, dear.
Did Caden want to marry her?
She clutched her stomach as it began to churn with doubt. She tried to shake off the feeling, for Caden would not have kissed her hand if he were not serious in his intentions. Or was she merely being used as a tactical weapon? A budding romance to keep the public interested in him until Parliament returned to session?
No, Caden did not use people. He would never treat her like that.
Suddenly, he was back by her side. “You are thinking too hard, Ella.”
She winced. “Does it show?”
